Flooring - LVT? - Style for mid-century flat

[bickering]

I'm refurbishing a flat for one of my DC instead of trying to get the council to help with assisted living. He is not 18 yet and might not move out for a couple of years but I got the chance to buy the flat at a good price. It looks like it will have to be rented out for a couple of years (mid term lets to doctors on rotation) before DS moves in.

It was built in 1969 and I am trying to lean into the mid-century aesthetic. If I were moving in myself and we didn't have tenants to worry about I would love 5 finger parquet... but that is ££££ and not durable enough.

So I have been looking at small tile parquet Amtico Spacia LVT in a warm oak colour for the hall, shower room and kitchen/living/diner. After reading threads here I thought it would be good to have something where planks could be lifted/repaired if there is a problem?

Is LVT a good idea for our situation: possible rental / tendency of flat towards damp due to its construction?

Assuming the LVT is a good idea, any thoughts about whether the parquet will work with the mid-century decor? I am worrying it will look to 1930s-40s rather than 1969/1970?

Or can anyone suggest a plank LVT which might work better?

The hall and shower room are tiny/odd shaped, so I was thinking that large planks won't work which has pushed me towards parquet - but it doubles the fitting cost...

As the floor is going to be a big part of how the flat feels I am getting nervous - any advice, experiences or alternatives please?

I wouldn't go for small tile parquet in a rental. With the best will in the world anyone renting will not take as good care of it as an OO.

I would want some thing maybe cheap but looks good.

On my floors (OO) I have some mid range engineered wood planks with some spare boxes. In about 5 years I will probably take it up and cycle round the boards/swap for some of the spare ones. By doing this it will probably look good for years, and after that I have the option of sanding.

You could do the same with your son, with a view to replacing damaged tiles when the rental stops without having to do the whole floor. Making sure it is floating is pretty much a prerequesite for this and also strong joints so it doesn't fall apart when you relay.

I would also think carefully about the decor you want for a rental. It should be good enough for you to let the place to good tenants, but not cost you a fortune and be frustrating if and when it gets damaged.

Are you allowed to have solid floors? Lots of flats, especially older ones, specify carpet in the lease agreement.

Thanks - what sort of thing is a “mid range plank”? I’m struggling to tell the difference between all the options

it had hard laminate when I bought it which was removed with the horrible black asbestos tiles which were the original floor. So interestingly I don’t think it’s a condhere

Not the cheapest, not the most expensive.

Engineered wood plank that is simple to cut, lay, relay and looks good.

Not dark (shows up scratches more) - that said dark wood floors are a bit out of fashion anyway. I think lighter looks more modern and stylish.

As PP said, probably worth checking there is nothing about flooring in the lease.

thanks - sorry if I am seeming dense but I am clueless on what the price ranges are. Something like this one? https://luxuryflooring.co.uk/waterproof-quayside-oak.html

Or possibly this one which is not wood but it waterproof - and it is one of the only floors I have seen with enough of a mid-century look about it...

https://www.quick-step.co.uk/en-gb/laminate/eligna/el996_merbau

Anyone used Quickstep? Any experiences to share please?

I have LVT in my late 60s rental. It’s a good choice especially if you have concrete floors there- it does better in a hard , solid surface. Looks good and easy to clean. Although a tenant did manage to stain it with what looks like Ribena …

I would go LVT in a rental. Low maintenance and spills just wipe straight off. If it scratches you can just replace those bits. The cost differential on engineered wood tends to be differences to the wear layer. If it's too thin it cant really be refinished so can be a false economy. If you like parquet, just go parquet Amtico/ Karndean?

Can I ask what kind of LVT did you go for?
I have got a few Amtico samples and they are all really flat/matt and it is so hard to tell how it will look across a whole floor - compared to a tiny sample!

@bickering is there a retailer near you? They often have much bigger sample boards which give you a better idea of how it’s going to look when laid.

Hi @bickering i don’t actually know the name. I went with a local carpet/ flooring shop I trust and looked at their swatches. I’m sure it was cheaper than Amtico though, and it has held up well.

Thanks - we went to a Quickstep showroom so they had loads of pull out trays with samples. Really useful. Both laminate planks and LVT. The Quickstep laminate planks quote was less than half the price of Amtico small parquet. I’ll need to go back a few times - shame it’s not possible to borrow a large sample to see in the flat…

Yeah I think plank is generally cheaper than parquet but Amtico is at the top end of the LVT market so will be more expensive. I think it’s worth paying more if you are having big expanses of open floor but if it’s going to be broken up with furniture might not be . You also need to consider if you want a click one or glue down.

Ive got some samples of the waterproof laminate mentioned above. Click together and DIY-able in a way that LVT is not. Been to see some larger samples - but it’s so hard to choose?!?

@GasPanic I am tempted by the laminate idea and keeping some planks spare in case of repairs. But when I asked in our local carpet shop the woman there said that they had done a couple of insurance jobs in the past and the tongues had broken off when the floor was lifted so it all had to be replaced. Have you ever done the plank shuffling you suggest here or know anyone who has done it successfully? How did you get the idea?

I have amtico small plank laid in a herringbone but at right angles so more parquet feel in my 1969 mid century styled house. It is very robust boys, dogs etc etc. I have resealed it once and replaced two tiles that got damaged. Still going strong

Oh this is good to know! I really liked the block layout pattern - I think it was 3 finger layout. But it costs a fortune to lay… but im really to happy about the repairs and refinishing. All the fitters Ive asked so far hadn’t ever done repairs… ooh im tempted now! Can you remember which plank “colour” you chose?

I can't sorry. Warm oak maybe

I really wanted basket weave but my fitter suggested this to reduce cost and ease of maintenance . Very happy with it